Oil Pulling
Health Benefits

Oil Pulling: Unlock Natural Oral Health & Detox Benefits

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Dental Issues

92 User Reviews
5 star (81) 
  88%
4 star (4) 
  4%
3 star (1) 
  1%
1 star (2) 
  2%
(4) 
  4%

Posted by Jenn (Cork, Ireland) on 01/12/2013
★★★★★

I have been oil pulling with olive oil for six months. I would use a different toothbrush for oil pulling and another for normal tooth brushing, and alway rinse my mouth out with warm salt water (one teaspoon in a small glass). I feel I am less likely to cross contaminate my mouth by using a different toothbrush.

My mouth feels much healther and my teeth are stronger, my dentist recommended for me to use a filler toothpaste as I have sensitive enamel. I choose to oil pull instead, and six months later my teeth are not as sensitive. I would recommend everyone giving it a try as it is inexpensive. It's just getting into a routine, like brushing and flossing teeth. Soon it becomes second nature. Of course you should follow your dentist advice also, I just made my own decision that suited me.


Dental Issues
Posted by Om (Hope, Bc Canada) on 12/28/2012
★★★★★

I have been oilpulling for over a year. My teeth have by nature a yellow tinge but have become whiter and brighter. My gums still bleed occasionally but are much healthier and firmer. Moreover, two molars that were lose have become firm and make no more trouble. If there is infection in the roots, take colloidal silver and keep in the mouth for a while. Do this for at least three days. The infection will go. I use only sesame oil as it penetrates all the skin levels and nourishes the tissue. I am 78 years old and have all my teeth sans one that went many years ago. Oil pulling is mandatory for sinus drainage otherwise the body becomes toxic.


Dental Issues
Posted by Effleurage1 (Aurora, Co, Arapahoe) on 11/17/2012
★★★★★

Hi! LOVE this site! Just wanted to share that I have been oil pulling, sunflower oil, for a week now to help with my dental pain and it has REALY helped me. Im so greatfull! Thanks again for this great site - Aurora Co


Dental Issues
Posted by U.n. Soldier (Vatican City, Italy) on 10/20/2012
★★★★★

Holy Cow! This oil pulling is amazing. That something so simple can have such huge benefits is just awesome. My gums have filled a sensitive hole in, in only 3 days! My teeth are white for the first time in my life! The first day I pulled with Grape Seed oil I slept like a baby the whole night through, which was just non existent for me. The other 2 days I have pulled with Extra Virgin Coconut oil. That is when the teeth whitening happened. Also pulled mucus out like a dam burst the first time. And get this, my molars which 3 days before did not all line up (they did not all touch at the same time when I clenched my teeth, or chewed)... Now they do! So tell how in the world is that possible! LOl I am in amazement, and happy, and sleeping like a baby with my new white straight teeth! Lol Give it a try, you will become a believer also:)


Dental Issues
Posted by Victoria (San Diego, Ca) on 09/12/2012
★★★★★

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Hello. I started oil pulling one week ago, mainly due to a massive toothache I had. I've had work done in the area, but with no insurance, a trip to the dentist was definitely not happening. So I looked for everything. I'm happy to say that I no longer have the sharp pain in that side of the mouth. But the area, my jaw, and my mouth in general still feels sore, almost like when I got my wisdom teeth pulled. I've also been experiencing general fatigue and body aches that I assumed were just detox symptoms. But aren't they supposed to last just for a few days? I feel like I've been sick for a week.

Another curious thing is anytime my head is upside down (I practice yoga), I feel pressure at the top of my nose and smell a strong scent that reminds me of tooth decay. I know this is disgusting, but it seriously reminds me of when I got my last root canal... The smell when the endodontist was removing the decay. What can be causing this? I do, unfortunately, have a mouth full of amalgam fillings. I've read about the concerns about pulling with these, but I've also read the arguments. Like wouldn't you want to draw out the mercury if you're able to spit it out? And if your fillings do fall out, oil pulled the decay from under it, and it's time to get them refilled anyhow. I don't know how true any of this is. I've read everything online, but there definitely isn't much on the topic. I pull for 20 minutes in the morning every day and some days in the afternoon a second time. I started with coconut oil since that's what we had but have bought sesame oil to use instead now. Should I continue pulling? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

Replied by Sophie
(Dayton, Ohio, Usa)
09/12/2012

Victoria, I hate to say this, but I seriously think you have an infection in your jaw! This is NOT a typical detox reaction!! It is the infection causing the soreness in your jaw. If you have pressure in your head, especially when upside-down, it is likely the infection has spread into your sinuses, and that is also causing the decaying smell. Infections smell gross, they have a rotten smell! Do not mess around, you need to get an antibiotic treatment. Infections, especially in your head, can go terribly wrong very fast. Please go see a doctor or dentist right away. Antibiotics are very cheap now! Usually they are only $4. If you have a very kind doctor or dentist they may be able to call in the prescription without an office visit, if you explain your situation. Most doctors/dentist also will discount their price if you ask and do not have insurance. Don't cause yourself more harm by waiting. Infections in your head or bone are very serious.

Replied by Kay
(In The Valley, Ca)
09/14/2012

I have to agree with Sophie, it sounds like an infection. Until you can get to a dentist, I would use some fresh garlic. If you slice it and apply it to the area that is painful, it should help. I leave it between my cheek and gum, with the cut side facing the gum, overnight while I sleep. It's works miracles. Read up on it on EC, many people have had much success. I wish you luck.


Dental Issues
Posted by Nordlanding1 (Uniontown, Alabama) on 08/12/2012
★★★★★

I've been oil pulling with organic extra virgin coconut oil for about 2 months now. I literally ran from the dentist over a year ago when my hygienist cleaned my teeth and told me that I have gingivitis, bleeding gums and what not. When I brush my teeth, my gums would bleed. Almost immediately I started oil pulling, I noticed that my teeth felt tighter. When I brush, it doesn't bleed anymore so I scheduled me a dentist appointment. The same hygienist from a year ago asked where I had been and she remembered that my teeth were jacked up so to speak. So she asked have I been flossing everyday. Of course not was my response so to make a long story shorter, when she finished with my cleaning she was flabbergasted at how well my teeth are now compared to last year. I had a second cleaning a week later. She said, "Mr. Nord, your teeth are great, you've been doing something". that's when I told her about oil pulling.


Dental Issues
Posted by Jane (Mountain View, Ca) on 05/18/2012
★★★★★

I have been Oil Pulling with organic Coconut Oil for 17 days. Unbelievable. Nose runs a bit, while one TBS of slighted heated Coconut Oil with 3 drops of Melaleuca Alternifolia (optional) is swished around very consciously in my mouth for 20 minutes. Immediatley when oil is in mouth I have phlegm from throat slightly surfacing. Nose running. No problem. Results after 17 days: Gums and Teeth feel great, much whiter teeth, plaque has disappeared, infection is gone in one tooth, can now chew on side of mouth where new bridge was put in 3 months ago. Almost in one week I could start chewing. Soreness and sensitivity was entirely gone. Two of my teeth that dentist said to remove because of infection I am not going to remove. I wish that the oil pulling would grow bone. Anyone know about this? I have periodonal condition. My plaque has all disappeared. I spit out and rinse with [an oil] solution and gargle. I will write back when I see my hygienist July 5, 2012. Thank you all. Jane

Replied by Jowhitney
(Portland, Or)
10/04/2012

On growing bone: see recommended diet by westonaprice.org. The dentist and researcher Weston A. Price watched post-depression malnourished kids grow secondary dentin in their cavity-ridden teeth. Many of us are much less-nourished than we think. Valuable foods like raw milk (see realmilk.com for info and local listings), homemade mineral-rich bone stock and dietary sources of all-important vitamins A & D have disappeared! You CAN re-grow bone. It's a matter of nutrition.

Replied by Cat
(Austin, Texas)
11/17/2015

Oil pulling will clean your teeth very well and heal (usually) your gum issues, but if you want thicker, stronger teeth, investigate food grade diatomaceous earth. My teeth were shaped like playing cards and thinning yearly. After 3 months on diatomaceous earth, they are thick pearly bulbs and very strong. Plus, my gums are better where they have pockets. The DE rebuilds jaw bone strength too! It, plus oil pulling plus getting rid of carbs (horrible for teeth over the long haul) and softly brushing/flossing once a day before bed, is all you need. I have since learned that a morning salt water/peppermint/coconut oil rinse after oil pulling and a tongue scrape is quite enough rather than brushing twice day. Frequent hard brushing can make pockets worse and weaken/damage gum tissue.

Replied by Bj
(Michigan)
11/18/2015

Cat in Austin, Could you please explain how you have used diatomaceous for your teeth? Are you brushing with it, rinsing with it, or taking it internally?

Thank you, Bj

Replied by Cat
(Austin, Tx)
08/30/2016

So sorry it has taken a while to reply to this question. To help with fleas and worms, my cat gets 1/4 tsp every Sunday mixed with his soft food. Diatomaceous earth helped me tremendously for about 3 months, then, I began noticing a grey pallor to my skin and bags growing under my eyes. I figured I was taking too much and needed to stop. It did make my nails grow and harden, gave me tremendously clear, white eyes, and, alleviated pain I had in my bones. It even helped stop my carpal tunnel syndrome.

However, I now use magnesium tablets and I upped potassium salts. I don't have long-term confidence in this product anymore.

Replied by Art
(California)
08/30/2016
2325 posts

Cat,

You didn't mention how much DE you were taking per day and that would be very useful information for people who are thinking of taking or are currently taking DE.

In a clinical study that used only 750 mgs per day, DE was shown to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and have lasting effects, so the multiple tablespoon dosing that is typically seen on the internet may be a little over the top for some people.

Art


Dental Issues
Posted by Newtoallthis (La, Ca) on 04/15/2012
★★★★★

I asked why wait four hours after eating and one hour after drinking water and never found an answer. Recently I added a second oil pulling, before bed--sometimes less than a full hour after drinking water--and I haven't noticed bad effects. I use coconut oil in the morning and olive oil at night.

I am mainly doing it for dental health and consider oil pulling an alternative to mouth wash. Rules like waiting four hours could just be part of making it sound mysterious and magical. I haven't noticed any magical cures, but my gums bleed much less during teeth cleanings and, for the first time, a dentist told me I have excellent oral hygiene.


Dental Issues
Posted by Lee (Boone, North Carolina) on 04/09/2012
★★★★★

I just started oil pulling 3 days ago. My main desire is to cure joint pain, but one thing I noticed after only 3 times is that my mouth feels great. I was having a lot of pain in a tooth that has had a root canal & another tooth with a cavity. I was getting ready to get a dentist appt. But the pain is completely gone after the oil pulling. I hope it works that well on my joints.


Dental Issues
Posted by Giveitagojones (Edinburgh, Uk) on 04/04/2012
★★★★★

I have been using Coconut oil for about 6 months now.

I stopped during a period of dental treatment (I had a wisdom tooth removed that was more filling than tooth, I strongly believed it was the cause of a strange cough I had had since the filling was done, the cough was difficult to describe, but it would disappear if I didn't brush my teeth???), I opted to have the tooth removed. A few days after the extraction and still not back to oil pulling, I suffered what can only be described as hell, my blood pressure shot up and I experienced palpitations like never before. The inflammation and discharge at the wound in my gum had allowed an infection to spread throughout my body.

The advice from my Doctor "go and see the Dentist", the advice from my Dentist "That's normal, just use some some salt water to clean the area", the advice from the emergency room I quickly visited shortly after that same day "It's not a heart attack, try to exercise more and stop smoking", the advice from a Consultant after I had completely lost my patience (and mind) five minutes later, "Take this Amoxicillin (Penicillin), and go and see your Doctor if it doesn't improve".

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I didn't bother with the antibiotics and went back to oil pulling, 3 days later, all was well (I did go crazy on my "cure all" Ginger as well), in hindsight, I should have just stuck with the oil pulling and sucking on a cut piece of Ginger root after the extraction, and when I get trouble with my teeth again (as we all will), I don't intend pausing the oil pulling.

Has anybody ever had a bad reaction to Coconut or Ginger when used together or alone, in any form?

(I should add with respect to the coughing situation above, the cough disappeared within a day or so after the tooth removal, and the only other way I could stop it was by oil pulling, but this would only last for about two hours or so).

This is an excellent site by the way and was the source of my original discovery of oil pulling.

As for the saturated fat issue with Coconuts, I don't sell Coconuts or have any interests in the Coconut industry, I personally feel that they are doing me no harm, your experience may be different, good luck and God bless to all (I hope this helps someone).


Dental Issues
Posted by Earlygirl (Sacramento, California) on 03/15/2012
★★★★★

I started oil pulling with coconut oil about three weeks ago based on comments posted here on Earth Clinic. I had just had my semi-annual teeth cleaning at the dentist's office and the hygienist was really cranky with me because she was finding 4s. I must say that since I started oil pulling, (once a day in the morning on weekdays, weekends off) my gums are a much lighter pink color and they seem to be growing back. And when I floss, there is no blood. I am thrilled and looking forward to going back for my next cleaning and seeing the hygienist's reaction.


Dental Issues
Posted by Mavanou (N.y) on 03/09/2012
★★★★★

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I am so happy to have found your site. I was having a toothache and pain all around my gums. I read about oil pulling and decided to try it for a couple of days. My toothache and gum pains were gone. However, I stopped for a few days because I was having some pain on my right side starting in the front around the liver area and radiating to the kidneys.

Since, I was also doing hydrogen peroxide, so I am not sure which was creating the effect.

I just slowly started oil pulling again using coconut oil and the pain is less. I will try to use black seed oil for op in the future to see if there is any difference.

Thank you so much for your site and for sharing your knowledge.


Dental Issues
Posted by Karen (Broomfield, Co, Usa) on 01/25/2012
★★★★★

I found this website and read about oil pulling. It was of interest to me because the last time I went for a dental cleaning the dentist suggested gum surgery for receeding gums. For the last few months (with breaks while travelling) I have swished organic, white, unrefined sesame oil in my mouth for less than one minute each evening and then spit it out. I know everyone says 5-10 minutes but that's not realistic for me (I will just avoid it) so I decided to do it for a minute or less after I brush and floss and while I am dressing for bed. Just had another dental cleaning today. Normal gums! The dentists didn't even want to measure the gums this time! This healed my gums with minimal time, little effort and little cost. AND to boot, it's helped me tremendously with my allergies. I know the die hard people will say 1 minute it too short but all I can say is that it's worked for me, big time!


Dental Issues
Posted by Anuj (Sydney, Australia) on 01/22/2012
★★★★★

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Just wanted to give my 2 cents worth.

Started OP about 7 days back. The first 3 days I used sunflower oil for OP. During that time, had excruciating pain for the first 2 days near one of my molars (the one which had root canaling done; I have 2 root canals ). The third day with sunflower oil was smooth and no pain.

Ran out of sunflowerr oil, so started using olive oil. Again, absolute hell with the headache and mucous for 2 days.

On the positive side, my teeth feel cleaner, no more bad breath and my gums seem to have firmed up. Will continue oil pulling to see how my cavities and dental decay fare.

Only concern being I have a lot of metal fillings- my dental health has been pathetic throughout my life-hope OP helps me cure that.


Dental Issues
Posted by Modern Medicine Maiden (Victoria, Bc, Canada) on 12/28/2011
★★★★★

I have discovered this website and after reading about oil pulling (and researching on other websites) I decided to try it.......... After two weeks I need to share my story.

I was diagnosed 10 years ago with a tumor/goiter on the right side of my thyroid that was noticeable in size. Oddly enough the left side is trying to compensate for it so my specialist and I decided to just leave it be and I would monitor its size and my well being (noticing any changes to my health) so after several years of blood tests etc.... I am now on yearly monitoring. Seems to be fine but the size has never changed. No matter what kind of cleanse or supplement I did. I just thought it was my little pet to carry around with me. Now I need to mention that I eat very healthy clean whole foods as I am sensitive to a lot of things (thanks goodness my body has a natural defense to all the bad stuff, makes it easier to say no! ). And then I decided to try oil pulling!!!!!!!!!!! The first day I had an awful metallic taste in the back of my throat. From the second day on I would expel a considerable amount of phlegm a few times after I had spit out the oil, IT'S SHRINKING!!!!! I have also had a slight breakout on my chin that happens to line up with my thyroid and only on the affected side so I know its pulling upwards. I honestly think that the doctor may even miss it if I had a routine check up. Not to mention my teeth are so much whiter! I am honestly telling everyone I love because this is so easy! I am fortunate to have seen direct results so I am absolutely convinced that this is another practice that I will incorporate into my daily regime for the rest of my life! Just try it..... Sesame oil, 2 tsp, empty tummy, 20 min and swish-n-spit away your potential future diseases down the drain!



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